Then I Became A Travel Parent

I used to have a regular life. Actually a few of my friends say that sentence should say, "I used to have a life, period'. Actually it doesn't seem that long ago. Then I became a travelball parent.

I used to think $40 was an exorbitant price for a baseball bat. Now the contents of my son's equipment bag are worth more than anything in the house- including clothes, jewelry, watches, and my laptop computer.

I used to be a leader in my field of work. I still am. (You have to keep a good paycheck coming if you want to support a travelball habit).

I used to think a doubleheader was a long day at the ball field. Now after 2 ballgames, we're just getting warmed up.

I used to look for little restaurants that served seafood fresh from the boat. Now I am a connoisseur of nachos and hotdogs and my kids rate a city by the quality of a tournament's snackbar.

Sunflower seeds used to be something I would see at a store and wonder who would eat those things. Now I don't feel comfortable leaving the house without a bag in my back pocket.

My lawn used to look like a carpet. It was green, mowed, trimmed, and watered. Now I have two bare spots fifty feet apart and dents in my garage door from fastballs that got away.

My car used to draw admiring looks and comments. It was clean and waxed, shined and armoralled. Now it only draws attention when it wins the "dirtiest car in the parking lot prize".

I used to have a garage. Now I have an indoor batting area.

My friends used to spend Monday morning talking about a round of golf or movie we had just seen. Now I bore them to death with detailed play by play descriptions of 5 or 6 low scoring ballgames.

We used to sit and talk for hours. We still do--however, now its to keep the driver awake when we are headed home from a tourny on a late Sunday evening.

My summer casual wardrobe used to be made up of color coordinated polo shirts, cool cottons in bright colors and an occasional aloha shirt. Now, I have a closet full of t-shirts that have tournament names and competing teams on the back.

We used to spend our summer vacations relaxing at the beach or visiting family. Now, we hit the road with 20 of our closest friends in a caravan that could rival some small town parades.

I used to be concerned that I would fall into the trap of living my life through my kid. Now I know that I am privileged to live my life WITH my kid!!!